GREENBELT, Md. — A man was hospitalized after being shot by a Greenbelt City Police officer Monday morning, according to police, and two officers are on administrative leave, per department policy.
Police say two officers responded to the scene in Greenbelt, Maryland just before 10:30 a.m. on Plateau Place for the report of a "suicidal subject."
Based on a preliminary investigation, officers came in contact with an adult man while approaching the residence and observed he was holding a 6-inch blade.
Officers then commanded the man to drop the knife, according to officials. The man then proceeded to run towards the officers leaving the residence while raising the blade.
Afterward, an officer proceeded to shoot the man, who was then taken to the hospital to be treated for serious injuries. He is still hospitalized and is in stable non-critical condition, according to officials.
A total of 10 shots were fired total with five rounds being shot by each officer.
The Prince George's County Police Department's Homicide Unit responded to the scene, according to the release, and is investigating the actions of the man at the request of the Greenbelt Police Department.
The Greenbelt Police Department is investigating the actions of acting Sergeant Troy Arnold and Officer Eric Thomas, the police officers that were involved in the shooting. Both officers have been placed on administrative leave, which the department says is its standard practice after officers shoot and hit someone.
A news release Thursday release further stated that the Maryland Attorney General's Office Independent Investigations Unit declined the case to investigate after being notified because of the "nature of the man's injuries."
No identifying details about the man were confirmed, beyond his gender and status as an adult.
Neighbors described hearing what sounded like firecrackers.
"I was standing there talking to my girlfriend and then I just heard pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, pop, maybe eight to 10," neighbor Ryan Curro said. "It was a lot."
The shooting happened outside of a residence. Police said they believe the same person who officers were checking on made the call.
"It was the male subject who the call was in regards to was the one who was injured," Greenbelt Police spokesperson Hannah Glasgow said. "Our officers were going to a mental health call with someone experiencing mental health issues."
The scene took place less than two miles from the police station in the historically peaceful community of Greenbelt Homes Incorporated. Neighbors say having a large police presence in the neighborhood was just as shocking as having the shooting itself.
"This is very unusual," neighbor Sharon Anderson said. "We have grease fires but an officer-involved shooting, never."
Greenbelt Police, which requires officers to wear body cameras, plans to release bodycam footage of the incident, although exactly when is unclear.
The Prince George's County Police Department is now leading the investigation.